WO2008080794A2

WO2008080794A2 - Interactive communication method between communication terminals, and interactive server and tv network

Info

Publication number: WO2008080794A2
Application number: PCT/EP2007/063911
Authority: WO
Inventors: Emmanuel Marilly; Gérard Delegue; Olivier Martinot
Original assignee: Alcatel Lucent
Priority date: 2006-12-21
Filing date: 2007-12-13
Publication date: 2008-07-10
Also published as: US20080155632A1; AU2007341422A1; EP1936986A3; AU2007341422B2; JP2008199584A; FR2910772B1; WO2008080794A3; EP1936986A2; RU2009128029A; MX2009005305A; KR101449010B1; FR2910772A1; CN101257506A; BRPI0721272A2; KR20080058281A

Abstract

Interactive communication method between communication terminals, the method comprising: - a definition step for the characteristics of the persons with whom a session initiator wants to have an interactive communication, these persons forming a virtual community with the initiator; - a definition step, for the interactive communication session, of the initial interactive media between the session initiator and the other members of the virtual community; - a sending step, by the session initiator, of a connection request to the terminals of the other virtual members of the community; this method being characterized in that it comprises a definition step of the adaptation control rooms of the communication media based on the context that is particular to at least one of the members of the community, particularly the session initiator.

Description

METHOD FOR INTERACTIVE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN TERM INAUX OF COMMUNICATION, SERVER AND TELEVISION NETWORK

I NTERACTIVE

The invention relates to the technical field of interactive television.

The term "interactive" is difficult to define because it applies to many products in rapid evolution.

For interpersonal exchanges, the term "interactive" is used when stakeholders influence each other through their dialogue.

For man / machine exchanges, the term "interactive" is used for the operating conditions that allow reciprocal actions in the real-time mode. For example, a machine receives information from a user and responds to it. For e-learning, the trainee intervenes during the learning process and, through this intervention, leads to a modification of this learning. _.

Interactive television includes a return channel (back channel) allowing the viewer to send information or queries to the content provider. The traditional television content is thus completed: access to links to Internet sites, telecomrnerce (T-commerce), video on demand (Video On Demand), electronic program guide (Electronic Prograrn Guide). Television becomes a digital consumer electronic device.

The return channel may be apparent on the television screen (for example by a separate split screen scrβ0n), the user communicating with his remote control and his set-top box or an embedded device [built in] for example IST {iniegraied Smart

Television),

The expression "interactive television" (interactive television) is used to designate quite different realities,

Thus, ^the term "interactive television" has been used to refer to the fact that ^a viewer can choose between d ifferent contents ^of a Digital Wide eu bouquet, by the aid of an electronic program guide (EPG Elz-clronic Progrθm Guiύθ ). The term "interactive television" has also been used to designate access to the Internet from an ad-hoc decoder (WebTv). The reality of services offered under the label "interactive television" can be presented from two angles: the content of the services on the one hand and the type of interactivity on the other.

As for the content of services, can be distinguished; enhanced television {enhanced TV); - interactive TV (call TV): - autonomous interactive television For enriched television, services are offered in addition to the broadcast program Additional information is sent to the viewer for example via the blanking interval of the TV signal (Vertical Blanking Interval) and / or via telephone lines This additional information can be text, graphics and still images for programming, trigger-enabled web content, a new audio and video component, or even For example, the Equidia channel offers subscribers with a digital terminal connected to a telephone line to open an account and to bet at home on all the horse races broadcast. The information delivered may or may not be related to the program being broadcast. communication between people watching the same program.

For participatory television, a communication service enables a television viewer to intervene in the content of a program broadcast during or outside of airtime. For example, Tatamîa Solutions offers a platform Tatamia Interactive

Channel for broadcasting SMS (Short Message Service) live on the screens. The viewer can, for example, choose a video clip that will be broadcast during a show and sign it by chatting with his / her friends. Spectators may also vote or participate in a contest, for example, in so-called reality shows.

A stand-alone interactive television service does not include any television service as a primary or secondary feature. This is a list of high-performance services such as banknotes and classifieds. The. récï.-pξ.eu? little televison! For example, it was used as a terminal for receiving messages between subscribers (for example TV mail from the company TPS): when a subscriber receives a new message, he is automatically warned at the bottom of the screen when he changes channels. The television receiver can also serve as a screen for interactive games offered by a virtual channel.

With regard to the type of interactivity, simulated interactivity, remote interactivity and real interactivity are divided.

When interactivity is simulated, the applications and data are integrated into the broadcast video stream, either once or in a loop. The services are made available either in real time on selection of the viewer, or by storage on the hard disk that allows local interactivity.

When the interactivity is deported, there is data exchange between the broadcaster and the viewer by means of equipment independent of the content distribution network. As an example, a bettor may have access to his account via the telephone line to which the decoder is connected.

Interactivity is said to be real when the service broadcasting network integrates a permanent route of return. One of the attractions of interactivity is to strengthen the links between distant people, so as to create virtual communities (eg group of friends, family members, people with similar interests).

The advent of such virtual communities would be facilitated by the existence of effective instantaneous communication means.

In this spirit, for example, instant messaging such as Windows Live Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger, Goggle Talk, ICQ, Livecom, AOL Instant Messenger. These proprietary software have been developed for desktop computers or PDAs and are not generally compatible with each other.

The mobile instant messaging has also been the subject ^of initiatives {Mobile Instant Messaging and Presence Services IMPS), without leading louse Services ^moment to inieropérables services that permettraieru the rempSacenient SMS ries {Short Message Sβfvic & s) and îvifvtS (MuHsniùdia Me ssage Service) via in-dediated messaging for end-users. ^'Uca ^(portable ion îrUeUige πtδ. {Sffiartphcsfie) The Applicant has also developed an inactive television technology called AmigoTV that allows the user to share opinions and emotions in a community. When several friends watch the same television program, they can, thanks to AmigoTV, comment it live among themselves, their voices passing over the Internet, six people being able to communicate at the same time. To find out who is connected to his TV and the channel he is watching, just look at his remote control with a men u where all this information is displayed in real time, the presence of the members of the community being indicated by overprinted avatars. AmigoTV also allows you to send images and sounds selected from a catalog, to illustrate his mood in response to a televised event. AmigoTV does not require a keyboard or mouse. AmigoTV technology, however, requires a headset, microphone, TV and set-top box.

The ^invention aims to provide members of the community interactive communication services in a mobile television environment, these services facilitate trade between related parties. By "relatives" is meant at least one of the following characteristics:

- people are geographically close to each other;

- people have substantially the same activity when they decide to communicate with one another; people have essentially the same centers of interests; people have access to comparable or compatible telecommunications means.

The interactive communication means according to the invention must allow u do community members to ^exchange instant messages, but i auss ciavarder, and exchange voice born donation or videos associated 3U x prog rams su broadcast TV r their mobile devices.

Communications services offered by the invention are to enable members of a community of s ^exchange mimicry ertïoiîoofts i) β \ EU to iscu eruπ-ter ï them. For these purposes, the invention relates, according to a first aspect, to an interactive communication method between communication terminals, this method comprising:

a step of defining the characteristics of the persons with whom a session initiator wishes to have an interactive communication, all of whom form a virtual community with this initiator;

a step of defining, for the interactive communications session, the initial interaction medium between the session initiator and the other members of the virtual community;

a step of sending, by the session initiator, a connection request to the terminals of the other members of the virtual community, this method comprising a step of defining the adaptation rules of the communication medium according to the context at least one of the members of the community, in particular the session initiator.

Advantageously, the method comprises, during the interactive communication session, the display of television programs on at least one of the communication terminals of the virtual community, in particular the communication terminal of the session initiator. However, it is understood that the session initiator may wish to open an interaction session without first having to watch a television program. For example, a person may announce his or her wish for an interactive communications session on a future program, and community members may discuss the modalities of that session (schedules, chosen communication media, for example). Advantageously, the definition of the characteristics of the persons between whom the interactive communication is provided takes into account the location of the persons, particularly geographical location. A virtual community can thus be defined according to the place where its members are, or of their common destination for example.

ÂvaπisqeusemerH, the definition of human characteristics ?, ie between oυeUes ia & conv, ^"n-.inicat! Θn interactive esi orévue takes into account people's profiles, including their areas of interest and the type of relationship they have with the proponent. Among its relationships, the session initiator may for example select those who may be interested in a television program whose broadcast is announced or in progress.

Advantageously, the definition of the characteristics of the persons between whom the interactive communication is provided takes into account the capabilities of the communication terminals held by these persons. The invention relates, according to a second aspect, to an interactive communication server for the implementation. of the method as presented above, this server comprising an adaptation rule module containing the adaptation rules of the service, these rules being predefined or created by the operator or the session initiator, the server further comprising a engine responsible for configuring, managing, and adapting the interactive communication service based on the context of at least one of the members of the virtual community, including the session initiator.

Advantageously, the server further comprises a media converter module, in charge of the consistency of the media chosen by each of the members of the virtual community for their interactive communications.

Advantageously, the server further comprises a user profile module in the community containing the generic rules of the community based on the teacher of the session initiator.

Advantageously, the server further comprises a proximity community module containing the list of people who are in the vicinity of the session initiator.

Advantageously, the server further comprises a list of friends module containing the list of friends of the session initiator.

According to a third aspect, the invention relates to an interactive communication network comprising at least one server as presented above, in which at least one of the communication terminals, in particular the communication terminal of the session initiator, is a mobile telecommunications terminal. Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear in the light of the description given hereinafter with reference to the appended drawings in which:

- Figure 1 is a schematic overview of the means of the invention, in a realization; Figure 2 is a schematic more detailed view of part of the means implemented in the invention.

The invention provides an interactive communication service for a community in a mobile TV environment. This service is called smart chat service for mobile TV (mobile smart TV service) thereafter MSCTV service, As will be shown by the following, the term chat used in instant messaging, refers to the context of the invention not only exchanges of text, but also where appropriate exchanges of sounds, images, videos, or files.

This MSCTV service allows discussions between members of a community through text, voice, or video, as well as the replacement of mimics (emoticons), emotional states, and intellectual attitudes (moods), when members of this community (eg, friends) watch the same TV program on their mobile device, or use the same mobile interactive app.

These exchanges are integrated in the screen of the termina! mobile, and MSCTV service can use the interfaces of the mobile terminal (eg microphone, camera, keyboard). The MSCTV service takes into account context, location, and profi! of the user as well as members of the community. By "context" is meant here in particular; ^the environment in which are p laced members! community (for example private, public place, noisy or silent atmosphere),

Type of network (bandwidth, quality of service), capabilities of communication terminals of community members (screen size, supported media, type of terminal), - Context in which the session takes place. interactive communication (activities of community members, veterinarians), the social context (other members of the community are those for the user among friends, neutrals, enemies, neighbors, co - workers or relationships); the person context! (mood of community members, aggression, stress),

- the selected television program.

By "location" we define not only the geographical location, but also other parameters relating to their movements: destination, speed of movement. By "user profile" is meant in particular the description of this user, his preferences, his rights, and historical data.

The effect of the environment on the MSCTV service can be illustrated as follows: a community member begins to interact with other members of the community in voice mode and switches to text mode when entering a public place or enters a noisy environment. For example, Bob is alone in a train compartment and uses the MSCTV service to watch a football match on his mobile terminal. Being alone in his compartment, Bob chats with his friends in voice mode. When someone enters the compartment, Bob decides to continue the conversation with his friends without disturbing that person.

Bob decides to switch from voice mode to text mode. Depending on specific conditions, switching from voice to text mode may be automatic, for example, switching from text mode to voice mode when a community member has to drive a vehicle during an exchange session.

The effect of the terminals on the MSCTV service can be illustrated as follows. During ^a session million SCTV, Vun of memb res In your community uses a different media ceiuî chooses pa r ies other members B, C. D to interact. For example, this user A uses the message while the other members B, C, D of the community use text to communicate. A voice synthesis allows communication of the other members B, C, D of the community to the user A, while a voice recognition device allows the user to communicate to the other members. B, C, D of the community Deployment of MSCTV can be done on existing elements of the mobile network.

For mobile terminal TV, several standards are available today: MPEG-4 BI FS, MPEG-LASeR (Lightweight Application Scene Representation, highlighted by Strearmezzo), SVG

{Scalable Vector Graphics, promoted by the W3C World Wide Web

Consortium), MORE (Mobile Open Rich-Media Environment, promoted by Nokia). For the broadcast of the mobile terminal television such as UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) telephone, a cell supports a small number of simultaneous broadband multimedia sessions, typically 256kbit / s.

This capacity will undoubtedly be improved by the arrival of the HSDPA

(High Speed Downlink Packet Access) or 3GLTE (3GPP Long Term

Evolution). The "broadcast" solution does not have this limitation, as there are three television broadcasting technologies to your mobile terminals: the MBMS (Multimedia Broadcast / Multicast Service), extension of the UMTS; terrestrial digital networks such as OVB-H (Digital Video Broadcast Transmission to Handled Terminals), T-DMB (Terrestrial)

Digital Multimedia Broadcasting), Media-Flo (Media Forward Link OnIy) and the Japanese ISDB-T network;

- hybrid satellite / terrestrial networks such as S-DMB in Korea.

MobaHO! in Japan or OVB-H adapted to the band S as developed by the applicant, allowing a capacity of 5 to 1 1

Mbits / s (8 MHz), and 20 to 30 channels, compared to 3 channels at

256 kbit / s from MBMS.

The MSCTV service can be deployed for example via the broadcast channel employing the DVB-H, the return channel using the 3G network. Da ns another implementation, Ie MSCTV service is integrated in an IMS environment (IP Multimedia Subsystem}. The ^integration in a solution! MS provides all ies benefits provided by an IMS environment you! AAC. GLMS {Group L ist Management Server), HSS (Home Subscriber Server, for example ruiihsateu r profile). Communications (Unified Messaging, Voicemail Voice, Voice Portal vs. Fixed or fixed / mobile network deployment can also be considered.

Figure 1 shows an implementation of an MSCTV service in an IMS environment. A television program 1 is broadcast using the network 2, for example DVB-H.

The final user 3 decides to have a discussion with the MSCTV service with a community (friends, people foca lized in the same geographical area, people having the same profi l). End user 3 chooses a predefined default or defines its own rules for selecting community members.

The end user 3 contacts, using his terminal 4, a server 5 to apply these predefined rules or to set up his own rules. For example, end-user 3 chooses the option "chat with people nearby". The end user then receives a list of people who are nearby and can choose those with whom he does not want to interact.

The final user can also choose automatic control systems to be used if the context changes: for example to switch from voice mode to text mode when entering a public place.

When the session configuration is established, the MSCTV service is operational and interactions can begin. The ^adaptation of this will be used throughout the session. Figure 2 is a schematic description of the MSCTV server.

This server includes several models.

The module adaptation rule 8 Contie nt your period of adaptation of predefined service or created by ^the operator or ^the users with r finai.

The media converter module? is in charge of media coherence between members of the community. For example, if community members use ia voice while ^others use fe text! A media converter module 7 q ue ensure all members of the commu nity can Interag ir them. For example. this module 7 will be in charge of the conversion of text data into vo κ {ΌS Γ example by voice synthesis'; or voice in text (recognition of vo ^, λ). Community Rule Module 8 contains community-specific rules. These rules are defined by the operator or by the end user.

The User Profile Module in Community 9 contains the generic community rules based on the user's profile. It provides lists of people who have a profile similar or similar to that of the end user.

The proximity community module 10 contains the list of people who are in the vicinity of the end user. Different rules can be defined by the end user or the operator. Basic rules concerning proximity (for example perimeter) or more contextual rules (people in the same train, ie same bus) can be defined.

The friend list module 11 contains the list of the end user's friends. This list is created by the end user.

The engine 12 of the MSCTV service is in charge of configuring, managing and adapting the MSCTV service. This engine manages the various modules 8-1 1 constituting the MSCTV service,

The server 13 of the MSCTV service interfaces with enablers 14 of the environment I MS such as presence, GLMS, AAC, QoS.

The server 13 is also in interface with communication applications 15,

The use of the MSCTV service will now be presented.

Jean watches a football game on his mobile terminal. He decides to have a conservation with his friends using the service

MSCTV. It launches the MSCTV application. Several options are proposed to him. John can have a communication with his friends (or a selection of them), for example people located in the same place (for example the same train, the same bus), Jean can also select people with the same profile as him (or a profile close to his profile). John can also select people with a particular profile.

John chooses to have a conversation using the MSCTV service with his friends watching the same TV program. Conversation using the MSCTV service can be done by exchanging ferles, voices, video, video or sounds / icons; achves John chooses <j ^'avo r * a video coπservβiico The discussion and comments during the football match are then possible between the members of the community. Icons and animations can be exchanged and appear on the television screens of friends so as to describe their respective moods and emotions.

A scenario for using the MSCTV service is for example the following.

In a first step, Bart decides to watch a football game on his mobile terminal. He then chooses to activate the MSCTV service to have a discussion with other people. Bart then accesses the service guide. In this guide, several options are available, for example: program guide, vote, chat. In a second step, Bart chooses the chat option. In a third step, Bart configures the service session MSCTV, The following criteria are proposed to him: filtering people forming the community (friends, proximity, profiles), selection of media, adaptation rules during the session. Bart defines the criteria of the community, selects the media used to interact, and the adaptation authorities. In a fourth step, the MSCTV service is then functional.

Bart can see the people connected (for example by icons, photographs). In addition to video images, Bart can send texts and icons to his friends.

Alternatively, Bart uses a mobile communication terminal including a camera and chooses to interact with his friends using voice and video. When Bart enters a public place, thanks to the adaptation rules, he automatically switches from voice mode to text mode and his words appear on the screens of other members of the community, in a window or superimposed. The interactive communication service according to ^the invention has many advantages: community management integrating context; adaptation of the service context (for example varied environments), performance of networks and terminals, has hus ^that the media used (text, voice, vidèoj; Offi e nαuvfcouλ services louse * U * tele vision s>; OBU ". With the MSCTV service, members of the same community who watch the same TV program can interact through a variety of media and applications. A community can be created on the basis of various criteria: people with the same profiles and centers of interest for example, geographical proximity. The criteria for creating a community can be chosen by an end user or an operator. The MSCTV service may be integrated with or interfaced to a community management module.

Claims

1. A method of interactive communication between communication terminals, the method comprising: - a step of defining the characteristics of the persons with whom a session initiator wishes to have interactive communication, all of whom form a virtual community with this initiator;

a step of sending, by the session initiator, a connection request to the terminals of the other members of the virtual community, this method being characterized in that it comprises a step of defining the rules of the virtual community; adaptation of the communication media according to the context of at least one of the members of the community, in particular the session initiator. 20

2. Interactive communication method according to claim 1, characterized in that, during the interactive communication session, it computes the display of television programs on at least one of the communication terminals of the virtual community, in particular the finished! of communication from the session initiator. 25

3. Communication method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the definition of the characteristics of the persons between whom the interactive communication is provided takes into account the localization of people, including geographical location. 30

4. The communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that q ue Its definition of the characteristics of people between which His interactive communication is provided takes into account the profile of persons, notamment35 their centers ^of interest and ty eg, relationships with people in charge.

5. Communication method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the definition of the characteristics of the persons between whom the interactive communication is provided takes into account the capabilities of the communication terminals held by these persons.

6. Interactive communication server for the implementation of the method as presented in any one of claims 1 to 5, the server comprising an adaptation rule module (6) containing the adaptation rules of the service, these rules being predefined or created by the operator or the session initiator, the server further comprising a motor (1 2) in charge of configuring, managing, and adapting the interactive communication service according to the context specific to at least one of the members of the virtual community, including the session initiator.

7. Server according to claim 6, characterized in that it further comprises a media converter module (7), in charge of the consistency of the media chosen by each member of the virtual community for their interactive communications.

8. A server as claimed ia claim 6 or 7, characterized in ^that it further comprises a user profile module ia community {9} the containing generic governed community based ie profii of the session initiator,

9. Server according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that it further comprises a proximity community module {10} containing the list of persons who are in the vicinity of the session initiator.

10. Server according to any one of claims 8 to 9, characterized in that it further comprises a friends list module (1 1) containing Ia list of friends of ^the session initiator.

1. Interactive communication project comprising at least one server as described in. Any claim from $ 6 to 10, characterized in that at least one of the communication terminals, in particular the communication terminal of the session initiator, is a mobile telecommunications terminal.